The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-05-24

A True Account of the Capture and De-
struction of the Columbine-
The Florida Herald, a few days since,
gave an account of the capture and de-
struction of the Yankee gunboat Column
bine, by Gen. Dickson near Palatka dur
ing the war, which contained many in
accuracies. A prominent citizen of Pa
latka who was with Gen. Dickson, gives
us the following version of the affair,
which can be relied on as being perfectly
correct:
Gen. Dickson. learning that the gun
boat would come down the river on a
certain day, stationed two six-pOund
cannons at Horse Landing, few miles
above Palatka, and a number of sharp
shooters. There was no ambush, from
the fact that Horse Landing is
low and fiat, the land being but a few
inches above the level of the water, and
surrounded by low bushes and tall pines.
The cannon were placed in the open
space used for the landing in plain view
of the river. Hearing the boat approach
ing the men were ordered to climb into
branches of the trees, and as soon as the
boat came within range, opened fire on
her, which was promptly returned from
the steamer with shot and she'll The
sharp shooters killed several on the boat,
but the trunks of the trees furnished
them ample and safe protection. When
the boat got directly opposite the land
ing, the six Founders were fired, but two
shots were enough. One cut the rudder
chain, while the other struck the piston
rod on its descending stroke and tlatten-
Ell it so that in making its descent it
burst the stuffing box and rendered the
engines useless. There was large num-
Der of negroes on board, and as they had
been taught that Dickson would
kill them as soon as they fell in
his hands, they became thoroughly pan
ic-stricken, and as soon as the boat was
disabled Twenty-Five of them jumped
| overheard and We're drowned. Around
| the bend in the river, below the landing,
| another gunboat was anchored, AID fear
| ing that it would come to the relief of
| the CoIumbine, General Dickson
quickly toook off the prisoners from the
captured boat. The boat drifted ashore,
when all the combustable material at
hand was gathered and piled ON deck
and fired. when the boat was left to
burn The other gunboat, fearing a sim
liar fate. quickly steamed up and left for
Jacksonville.
Shortly afterwards, General Dickson
ordered his wagons to go from Lake City
to the week and move Fall the machin-
cry that was of any value, which was
hauled through the country to Dicki-
sons camp. Much excitement was
created by one of the men connected
with the wagon train giving out
the report that the machinery
was being carried over to the
Suwannee River to be placed in a gun
boat for breaking the blockade of Cedar
Keys. This hoax had a wide circulation.
The bodies of the negroes who had
jumped overheard were washed ashore,
and when the wagons returned to the
landing for the machinery they presented
horrible sight, the most of their flesh
having been eaten by buzzards. One of
the soldiers with the wagon train, DIR.
Stringfellow, of Gainesville, cracked the
thigh bone of one of these deceased
brothers who fought SO well, and oiled
his rusty rifle while waiting. The
heavy machinery was hauled through
the woods, as Mud Mill Bridge was too
weak for such load, and Rossignol of
Palatka. was the pilot who led the way
under the direction of Capt r. ]. Adams.